CIM Marketing Podcast

Episode 118: In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by CIM Course Director and Strategic Growth Consultant Steph Inez Matthews, and Peter Gaston, innovation lead at VCCP and co-founder of AI-first agency Faith, to unpack the “AI efficiency paradox”.AI tools like Midjourney, Adobe Firefly and Google’s Nano Banana make it easier and cheaper than ever to create content, but are we entering a golden age of creativity, or do we risk our social feeds becoming saturated with ‘AI slop’?Together, Steph and Peter explore how marketers can harness AI for speed, scale and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing distinctiveness, brand integrity or ethical standards. They discuss how AI is reshaping creative roles, from designer to prompt engineer, why human insight still sits at the heart of effective marketing, and how smaller brands and SMEs can now genuinely punch above their weight.You’ll hear real examples from agency practice, client-side experience and AI-first campaigns, as well as the practical realities around data security, IP ownership and client expectations. The episode does not shy away from the hard questions: bias baked into models, the risk of cognitive de-skilling, legal grey areas and the very real possibility of an 'industry disaster' if governance does not catch up.This is an essential listen that will leave you better informed, slightly challenged and ready to set your own AI standards.This podcast will: Explore how AI is affecting the creative process in marketingAsk whether marketers are prepared for the copyright and bias risks AI presentsExamine the 'efficiency paradox' - the risk that AI improves efficiency but fosters homogeneityThanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk.

When creative production becomes as simple as writing a prompt, does the human touch become a luxury or a relic? In this episode, we're joined by CIM Course Director and AI specialist Steph Inez Matthews, and Creative Innovation Lead at VCCP, Peter Gasston as they debate whether AI is truly democratising design or simply saturating our feeds with "slop". In this clip from our upcoming episode, Steph and Pete discuss why access to powerful technology doesn't automatically translate into becoming a YouTube star, arguing that tools alone cannot replace vision. Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

 In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, our host Ben Walker sits down with Kelly Eagle, managing partner at Pixel Artworks, to explore how truly immersive experiences are reshaping modern marketing.Kelly explains why the real innovation isn’t in shiny new tech, but in how you use existing technologies to tell better stories, shift behaviour, and build brand loyalty. From large-scale skyline installations and AR-enhanced environments to carefully measured engagement and ROI, she reveals how brands can move beyond “Instagrammable moments” to create transformative, narrative-led experiences that audiences remember long after the lights go out.Whether you’re working on live events, brand experiences, or digital campaigns, this episode will help you rethink how immersion fits into your marketing mix, and how to justify the investment.Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing. Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk

In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, our host Ben Walker sits down with Kelly Eagle, managing partner at Pixel Artworks, to explore how truly immersive experiences are reshaping modern marketing.Kelly explains why the real innovation isn’t in shiny new tech, but in how you use existing technologies to tell better stories, shift behaviour, and build brand loyalty. From large-scale skyline installations and AR-enhanced environments to carefully measured engagement and ROI, she reveals how brands can move beyond “Instagrammable moments” to create transformative, narrative-led experiences that audiences remember long after the lights go out.Whether you’re working on live events, brand experiences, or digital campaigns, this episode will help you rethink how immersion fits into your marketing mix, and how to justify the investment.Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

From AI to AR, gaming and live streams, digital experiences are driving the future of customer interactions, but are we unlocking deeper creativity, or just chasing the next shiny tool?  In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Rhonda Hadi, Associate Professor of Marketing at Saïd Business School and Kris Hunt, Strategy Director at Content Cure UK to explore how rapid advances in technology are reshaping creativity, customer experience and brand building.  Together, they unpack how marketers can harness emerging tech without losing the human heart of their ideas. They explore the blurring line between digital and physical experiences, why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining what “social” really means, and how AI can support rather than suffocate genuine creativity. This episode is a practical guide for creatives and marketers who want to stay relevant as technology accelerates. Stop grabbing attention. Start crafting experiences.            Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.   Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk

From AI to AR, gaming and live streams, digital experiences are driving the future of customer interactions, but are we unlocking deeper creativity, or just chasing the next shiny tool?  In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Rhonda Hadi, Associate Professor of Marketing at Saïd Business School and Kris Hunt, Strategy Director at Content Cure UK to explore how rapid advances in technology are reshaping creativity, customer experience and brand building.  Together, they unpack how marketers can harness emerging tech without losing the human heart of their ideas. They explore the blurring line between digital and physical experiences, why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining what “social” really means, and how AI can support rather than suffocate genuine creativity. This episode is a practical guide for creatives and marketers who want to stay relevant as technology accelerates. Stop grabbing attention. Start crafting experiences.            Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, we sit down with Lucy Johnstone, entertainment marketing director at Sky & NOW TV, and Tim Yaw Struthers, head of original brands at Sky, to discover how to successfully market a hit TV series. Our expert guests explain how Sky turns great shows into their own brands, from early strategic ‘show playbooks’ to global campaigns. They talk through the innovative strategies they use to connect with audiences, create shared experiences and build fandoms using social media, experiential stunts and behind-the-scenes content.  This podcast will:• Explore how Sky creates winning marketing campaigns for its shows• Reveal how Sky leverages third-party media to create shared audience experiences• Look at how innovation pairs with traditional red‑carpet moments in the Sky marketing mix Whether you work in entertainment, brand marketing, or are simply curious how today’s biggest TV hits break through the noise, this episode gives you an inside look at the process, from first green light to global launch and beyond. Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing. Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk

In our upcoming episode, we sit down with Sky to discover how to successfully market a hit TV series. We’ll be joined by Lucy Johnstone, entertainment marketing director at Sky and NOW TV and Tim Yaw Struthers, head of original brands at Sky. They’ll discuss how Sky creates winning marketing campaigns for its shows, how to create shared experiences with your audience, and how innovation ties together traditional and modern marketing.  Get ready for an inside look at how TV shows are marketed, from green light to global launch.  Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

Paul Greenwood, Head of Research & Insights at We Are Social, tracks social intelligence and cultural behaviour. Emily Heath, Global Brand Director for Rexona, leads brand strategy and sports partnerships. They discuss shifting global digital habits and platform fragmentation. They explore listening to micro-communities, balancing data and creative instinct, and using AI as a tool while keeping human judgment central.

The first episode of the brand-new season of the CIM Marketing Podcast launches tomorrow! In our upcoming episode, we sit down with Emily Heath, Global Brand Director at Rexona/Sure, and Paul Greenwood, Global Head of Research & Insights at We Are Social to find out how creativity could help brands stand out in a digital world ruled by algorithms.If you want to build a brand that thrives on creativity, this episode is for you.Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.